She could already imagine Ava's over the top reaction: "Wait, you mean he was the one driving us the whole time?!" Complete with a dramatic gasp and probably a forehead slap.
With that amusing thought easing her nerves just a little, she finally turned to the silent driver still seated in the car.
"Thank you," she said quietly, respectful but cautious.
"It's nothing," Arthur replied, his voice cold and flat, exactly what she expected from him.
She gave a small nod and reached for the door handle, ready to step out.
But then
"Are you nervous?"
The words were simple, but they stopped her like a slap of cold water.
She turned back to face him slowly, blinking. "…What?"
Not because she had not heard him.
But because, Arthur had just asked if she was nervous.
Arthur. The human iceberg. The training demon. The guy whose emotional range seemed permanently set to "chilly indifference."
He met her stunned gaze with his usual unreadable expression.
